Multifunctional exercise machine

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional exercise machine has columns ( 1, 2 ) extending in the vertical direction and, for example, a foot part ( 12, 17 ) resting on the floor ( 13 ) over which there is arranged, at a certain vertical distance from the floor ( 13 ), a sitting or lying surface ( 9 ) and a backrest ( 10 ) extending above the sitting and lying surface ( 9 ). The machine has actuating devices ( 24, 28, 29 ) to be operated with bodily extremities—foot, hand, arm or the like—which transmits the force exerted by the user via at least one flexible tension means ( 37 )—chain or rope—to one or selectably also to a plurality of rod- or strip-shaped spring elements ( 31 ), clamped in at one end and extending in a vertical plane in the space ( 32 ) bounded by the column parts ( 1, 2 ). The force applied by the user, in each case via the flexible tension means ( 37 ), engages the free upper end portion of the spring element ( 31 ) concerned and elastically deforming this spring element ( 31 ) in the specified vertical plane in the space ( 32 ) bounded by the column parts ( 1, 2 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a multifunctional exercise machine.

PRIOR ART

A machine of the aforesaid kind is already known from, among others, DE36 88 254 T2. This already known exercise machine exhibits devices thatresist the movement of a person using the machine, specifically via aflexible cable on which a person using the machine can pull. There aredevices that connect the cable and the resisting devices in order tocounteract the tension on the cable by the user. The resistance isgenerated by one or a plurality of elastic rods, which are mounted incantilever fashion on a base, one end of the rod concerned being freeand the cable being connected to the rod in order to generate theresistance for the tension on the cable by bow-like bending of the rod.Guide devices are mounted on the base at a predetermined position withrespect to the fixed end of the rod, so that the tension on the cablecauses bending of the rod and the tension is resisted in a predeterminedfashion independently of the direction from which the tension isexerted. Here, however, the arrangement has been made such that, ontensile loading, the rods bend laterally out of the machine into thefree space of the machine to the left and right of the machine. Asidefrom the fact that the required space is considerable as a consequence,there is a danger of injury to persons standing nearby. This dangerexists especially if one or a plurality of the flexible rods shouldfracture or the flexible tension element (rope) breaks. In this caseboth the rope and also the flexible rods concerned could strike into thefree space in whip fashion and give rise to serious injuries to personsstanding nearby or even to the person exercising. This design is thusobjectionable from the safety standpoint.

Problem to be Solved

It is an object of the invention to improve a multifunctional exercisemachine of the aforesaid kind in inventive fashion so that the danger ofinjury to persons is avoided while the space required for setup issmall.

Solution

The object is achieved with the features recited in claim 1.

Some Advantages

In the multifunctional exercise machine according to the invention, therod- or strip-shaped elastic spring elements extending in the verticaldirection are arranged in such fashion that they bend in the verticalspace bounded by the frame-like column and do not issue outwardlylaterally outside the machine. If, nevertheless, a fracture shouldoccur, the frame-like parts of the column themselves serve asinterceptive protection. The machine, even during exercise, does notrequire more space than the machine needs anyway for setup in the unusedcondition, since the rod- or strip-shaped spring elements can no longerissue outwardly laterally outside the projection of the machine.

Further Inventive Developments

Further inventive developments are described in claims 2 to 20.

Claim 2 describes an especially advantageous embodiment. Here the rod-or strip-shaped spring elements, individually or a plurality at a time,as required, can be coupled via a coupler to the flexible tensionelement concerned, which engages on the coupler after diversion asappropriate via one or a plurality of diverting rollers.

The coupler can be fashioned hollow and in this way can accommodate, asrequired, the end portions of one or a plurality of the strip- orrod-shaped flexible spring elements (claim 3).

According to claim 4, the spring elements concerned are restrained by aconnecting element, which is to be arranged on the coupler, for examplevia lateral slots or holes, in order to couple the end of one of thespring elements or a plurality thereof detachably with the coupler.

According to claim 5, the coupler is roughly U-shaped or box-shaped incross section and accommodates between its walls the end portions of thestrip- or rod-shaped flexible spring elements concerned. The connectingelement in each case can engage behind the end concerned of the springelement to be coupled, in order in this way to restrain it with thecoupler in such fashion that it can be coupled or uncoupled.

The connecting element, as described in claim 6, can be a pin or ascrew. The pin-shaped part can be provided with suitable contours, whichengage via a keyhole-shaped hole penetrating the walls of the coupler inorder, after rotation of the connecting element through a certain angleabout its longitudinal axis, to connect the connecting element to thecoupler in such fashion that it cannot be lost but can be detached.

According to claim 7, a plurality of the rod- or strip-shaped springelements are arranged one next to another and/or one behind another. Inthis way the force range can be varied over a wide range.

Claim 8 describes a preferred embodiment of the invention.

An embodiment according to claim 9, wherein spring elements are arrangedin a sort of quiver between column parts, is also especiallyadvantageous.

This quiver is arranged in the floor area of the exercise machine andaccommodates the spring elements. In this way, these can also be easilyreplaced as required by simply inserting them into this quiver. To thisend the quiver can have suitable retention openings that securely graspa longitudinal portion of the spring element concerned.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described inclaims 10 to 12.

According to claim 13, the exercise machine is collapsible in thatcolumn parts above the backrest are collapsibly connected to one anothervia at least one pivot axis. In this way the exercise machine can befolded up, for example when it is not used or for purposes of transport,so that it occupies only a little space. In this position it can forexample be easily stowed or transported.

Claim 14 describes a further advantageous embodiment of the invention.

As claim 15 describes, the spring elements can be made of a suitableplastic exhibiting elastic properties, for example nylon, polyamide,glass fibers, hollow fibers, reinforced with glass fibers asappropriate, or spring steel.

A preferred embodiment is described in claim 16.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described inclaims 17 to 20.

The invention is illustrated in exemplary form, in part schematically,in the Drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a multifunctional exercise machine according to theinvention in perspective representation;

FIG. 2 is a view in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view with reference to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 3 but after the uncouplingof the spring elements and in a phase of the folding up of the entireexercise machine;

FIG. 5 is a side view with reference to FIG. 4, the exercise machine,however, being already folded up;

FIG. 6 depicts the folded-up exercise machine seen in FIG. 5, lying onthe floor;

FIG. 7 depicts the arrangement of the coupler beam in the unloadedcondition;

FIG. 8 depicts the arrangement of the coupler beam in the loadedcondition;

FIG. 9 is a magnified detail with the coupler beam having two springelements clamped in;

FIG. 10 a is a detail view with a coupler beam having two springelements loaded by tension;

FIG. 10 b is an illustration corresponding to FIG. 10 a, likewise havingtwo spring elements clamped in and loaded by tension, in rear view;

FIG. 11 is a side view with a person exercising with leg curler;

FIG. 12 a is an illustration similar to FIG. 2, the exercising personperforming seated side lateral raises;

FIG. 12 b is a side view of an exercise machine corresponding to FIG. 3,the exercising person performing one-arm or two-arm standing arm pullswith low pulley;

FIG. 12 c is an illustration corresponding to FIG. 12 b, the exercisingperson performing arm pulls in side-facing position;

FIG. 13 a is a side view corresponding to FIG. 2, the exercising personperforming or doing seated pullovers;

FIG. 13 b is an illustration corresponding to FIG. 13 a, the exercisingperson performing one-arm or two-arm standing arm pulls with highpulley;

FIG. 14 is an illustration corresponding to FIG. 2, an exercising personperforming butterfly exercise;

FIG. 15 a is a side view corresponding to FIG. 3, an exercising personexercising on the latissimus tower;

FIG. 15 b is an illustration corresponding to FIG. 15 a, the exercisingperson having assumed a seated position rotated 180° relative to FIG. 15a and using the latissimus tower for downward or lateral pulls behindthe shoulders.

A variety of exercises, which do not need to be described in detail inwhat follows, are known for training various muscles and muscle groupsof the human body, such as trapezius, teres major, triceps, latissimusdorsi, sacrospinatus, gluteus maximus, hamstrings, adductors orgastrocnemius. As required, these various muscles or muscle groups canbe trained and/or cared for with the multifunctional exercise machinedescribed in what follows. Consequently, the multifunctional exercisemachine according to the invention is to be understood not only as apure muscle-building device but also can be used in convalescence, forexample for performing orthopedically necessary or desirable exercisesas prescribed by the specialist physician.

The multifunctional exercise machine according to the inventionessentially comprises two column parts 1 and 2 connected to each otherin scissors fashion via a pivot axis, not individually designated, whichcolumn parts in the illustrated embodiment comprise frame parts or pipes3, 4 and 5, 6 respectively, in particular special-section pipes ofarbitrary cross section, for example having internally and externallyrectangular, square or also polygonal cross section (not illustrated).These pipes 3, 4 and 5, 6 respectively form frame parts, which completethemselves into column parts 1 and 2. Frame parts or pipes 3 to 6 can bemade of a suitable material, for example of an aluminum alloy, of amagnesium alloy, of plastics, but also of steel as required.

Frame parts 3 and 4 extend past frame parts 5 and 6 and are provided inunitary fashion with offsets 7 and 8, with which frame parts 3 and 4overreach frame parts 5 and 6 by some distance in the direction toward asitting or lying surface 9. Sitting or lying surface 9 is provided withsuitable sweat- and abrasion-resistant padding, in particular of asuitable plastic with foam or other padding. Arranged on the side facingtoward sitting or lying surface 9 is a backrest 10 covering theintermediate space between pipes 3, 4 in the back area, which backrestcan be of the same material and provided with padding similar to that ofsitting and lying surface 9. As one sees, backrest 10 is arranged withits lower boundary a certain space or clearance away from the top ofsitting and lying surface 9 and, in its area, covers intermediate space11 formed between the parallel and spaced-apart pipes or frame parts 5and 6.

Front pipes or frame parts 5 and 6 are unitarily connected to a foot 12,for example by screwing or the like, or, however, also unitarily inmaterial as required. Foot 12 is fashioned bounded by planar surfaces ondiametrically opposite sides and rounded off on its lateral edges andserves for setting up the machine on a floor 13. Connected to foot 12 inunitary fashion are stretchers 14 and 15, running parallel to floor 13and parallel to one another with their longitudinal axes, whichstretchers are beams of rectangular or square cross section, which canbe fabricated from the same material as foot 12, for example fromplastic, from an aluminum alloy, from steel, from cast metal or thelike, and which serve for setting up the exercise machine on floor 13 insuch fashion that it is stable against overturning. Stretchers 14 and 15are connected to foot 12 by a horizontal pivot axis, not individuallydesignated, so that they can be folded in, likewise under pipes or frameparts 5 and 6, when column parts 1 and 2 are folded up (FIG. 6). Attheir end portion opposite foot 12, stretchers 14 and 15 are connectedvia at least one pivot axis 16 to a foot part 17 of pipes or frame parts3 and 4 so as to be pivotable in the vertical plane. Pivot axis or pivotaxes 16 run parallel to the pivot axis connected to foot 12 forstretchers 14 and 15. As one sees in particular from FIG. 1, stretchers14 and 15 are provided with upwardly offset end portions 18 and 19, towhich pivot axis or pivot axes 16 are assigned. The bottom side ofstretchers 14 and 15, facing toward floor 13, desirably run in the sameplane as, and with a clearance from, floor 13.

Sitting or lying surface 9 is arranged on a cantilever beam 20 standingaway from pipes or frame parts 5 and 6 above foot 12, which cantileverbeam comprises at least one special-section pipe and is braced via abrace 21 to pipes 5 and 6 fashioned as main pipes. Moreover, sitting andlying surface 9 is fashioned so as to be adjustable in height and alsofoldable about a pivot axis 22 (FIG. 4, 5) and adjustable in height. Tothis end, sitting or lying surface 9 is adjustable and restrainable viaa mechanism on the front of pipes 5 and 6 fashioned as main pipes bymeans of hooks 23 located at various heights. Bracing takes place at therear on main pipes 5 and 6 at 21. In this way, both leg curler 24 andalso sitting and lying surface 9 can be folded in or also removed asappropriate when not in use (FIG. 5, 6). For example, in the folded-inposition that can be seen from FIG. 6, the entire multifunctionalexercise machine can be bounded by circumscribing dimensions D=400 mmand L=1900 mm. Naturally, these dimensions can be altered from case tocase as required.

Leg curler 24 has padded knee and foot braces 25, 26 usually arrangedpairwise.

Arranged above backrest 10 pivotably in a horizontal plane about avertical axis 27 are a pair of handles 28, which are likewise padded attheir lower ends and are used for performing butterfly exercises.

Assigned to offsets 7 and 8 is a handlebar 29 fashioned as a latissimusbar. At both end regions, handlebar 8 likewise exhibits padded gripsmade of a plastic resistant to sweat and moisture, for example ofneoprenes or the like. All pads for sitting and lying surface 9, forbackrest 10, for leg curler 24 and for handles 28 for the performance ofbutterfly exercises are also equipped with sweat- and moisture-resistantshells or skins, preferably of plastic.

Arranged with foot part 17 between pipes or frame parts 3 and 4, andindeed within approximately triangular space 32 bounded by column parts1 and 2, is a quiver 30 in which there are arranged, in the embodimentillustrated, a plurality of, preferably numerous, rod- or strip-shapedspring elements 31, for example six, eight, twelve or the like springelements. These spring elements 31 in the unbent condition are arrangedwith their longitudinal axes parallel to one another and standinclinedly directed at an acute angle to triangular space 32 (FIG. 1),while one of these spring elements 31 is shown prestressed, especiallyin FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. To this end, quiver 30 can be provided with atleast one cavity or support opening, preferably, however, with aplurality of centering recesses, not individually designated, which areadapted to the external cross section of the rod- or strip-shaped springelements so that these can be arranged in an exact alignment relative toone another. Spring elements 31 are inserted into this cavity orrecesses of quiver 2 with a certain longitudinal portion. Quiver 30 thusserves as a magazine for a number or a multiplicity of rod- orstrip-shaped spring elements 31 to be coupled to a coupler 33, all ofwhich spring elements are made of an elastic material, in the presentcase of a carbon-fiber-reinforced composite material. Spring elements 31are in this way to be elastically stressed in bow shape in the fashionof a leaf spring (FIG. 10 a and FIG. 10 b for example) and are placedfor example in the position visible in FIG. 1 after the multifunctionalexercise machine has been set up.

Coupler 33 exhibits a cavity or coupling opening into which the free endportions of one or a plurality or all of spring elements 31 arranged inquiver 30 can be inserted under prestress and then are available forexercise. In this way the elastic resistance force that the exercisingperson must overcome can be altered upward or downward in a stepwise butprecise way. Depending on the spring characteristic of spring elements31, a correspondingly gentle, progressive response can be determined inthis way. Spring elements 31 can also be replaced as required, so thatin case of damage or if spring elements 31 are to be replaced by otherspring elements 31 having larger or smaller spring constant, this iseasily accomplished.

Coupler 33 exhibits a cavity or a space into which the free ends ofspring elements 31 can be arranged. These are blocked in couplingposition by a connecting element, for example by a pin 34, which canengage behind the free ends of spring elements 31. To this end, coupler33 can be provided with a corresponding penetration with the rear endvisible from FIG. 1, through which penetration the free ends of springelements 31 can be inserted and then connected to coupler 33 ininseparable and secure fashion by simply sticking connecting element 34in. At its lower end, coupler 33 has a suitable abutment 35, which canbe fashioned as a clevis, eye or hook, with which a diverting roller 36or also a plurality of diverting rollers are to be connected asrequired, via which diverting roller or rollers there is guided aflexible tension means, in the present case a rope 37, which is passedaround at least one roller 38 and guided upwardly to the individualoperating elements, for example to leg curler 24 or to butterfly grips28 or, however, to handlebar 29, there likewise via a diverting roller,not illustrated. The various guidance directions of flexible tensionmeans 37 can be inferred for example from FIG. 11 and FIG. 13.

Further, it is to be inferred that in all exercises a bending/tensilemotion is always exerted on the rod- or strip-shaped spring elements,spring elements 31 being inwardly deformed solely into roughlytriangular interior space 32 between column parts 3 and 4. Springelements 31 held in reserve are also located in quiver 30 within thisspace 32 and in each case move only in the vertical direction, that is,not laterally out of this space 32. Spring elements 31 located in quiver30 and/or column parts 1 and 2 thus also serve as a protective barrierin case of any fracture of spring elements 31. As one notices, the setupspace for the entire multifunctional exercise machine need not beenlarged because spring elements 31 do not issue outwardly laterallyoutside the lines bounding space 32, as is the case for example in theprior art. Spring elements 31 can be of rectangular, square or alsotubular or round shape in cross section, depending on what the operatingconditions are, what spring constants are desired and what materialcombinations are used. For example, rod- or strip-shaped spring elements31 can be shaped like leaf springs, that is, can exhibit a flatrectangular shape in any section taken transversely to theirlongitudinal axis.

Coupler 33 can also be provided with a slot on its rear and, in asection taken transversely to its longitudinal axis, can bound abox-shaped or square interior space, spring elements 31 beinginserted—via the rear slot, which is somewhat larger than thecross-sectional shape of each spring element 31—with their free endportions into this space and then being supported behind the walls ofcoupler 33, whereupon connecting element 34, for example a pin, is thenstuck in laterally behind the so arranged free ends of spring elements31, which pin thus prevents the escape of the free ends of springelements 31 from coupler 33.

The opening into which connecting element 34 is stuck can bekeyhole-shaped, and connecting element 34 itself can be provided with aone-sided or multi-sided thickening or profiling, so that afterconnecting element 34 is stuck in, it can be rotated somewhat about itslongitudinal axis, so that an unauthorized dropping out or escape ofconnecting element 34 out of the opening of coupler 33 is not possible.

As one notes from FIG. 1, column parts 1 and 2 subtend an acute angle attheir vertex, while the longitudinal axes of offsets 7 and 8 of columnparts 3 and 4 subtend with these an obtuse angle (FIG. 3).

In some visible embodiments, stretchers 14 and 15 are fashioned asspecial-section pipes and simultaneously serve as feet for setting upthe entire machine. Foot 12 can be omitted in this case. These devices,however, are also capable of being folded up. The same referencecharacters have again been employed for parts of like function. Columnparts 3, 4 are telescopable and can be restrained in length.

The features described in the Abstract, the Claims and the Specificationand those visible from the Drawings can be essential, both singly andalso in arbitrary combinations, for implementing the invention.

1. A multifunctional exercise machine having columns extending in thevertical direction and, for example, a foot part resting on the floorover which there is arranged, at a certain vertical distance from thefloor, a sitting or lying surface and a backrest extending above thesitting and lying surface, having actuating devices to be operated withbodily extremities—foot, hand, arm or the like—which transmits the forceexerted by the user via at least one flexible tension means—chain orrope—to one or selectably also to a plurality of rod- or strip-shapedspring elements, clamped in at one end and extending in a vertical planein the space bounded by the column parts, the force applied by the user,in each case via the flexible tension means, engaging on the free upperend portion of the spring element concerned and elastically deformingthis spring element in the specified vertical plane in the space boundedby the column parts.
 2. The multifunctional exercise machine of claim 1wherein a plurality of the rod- or bow-shaped spring elements arearranged in a quiver, which is arranged on the column in the region ofthe floor, preferably inside the space bounded by the column parts, andaccommodates in upright position the plurality or a multiplicity ofspring elements, whose end portions can be coupled as required to acoupler, on which the flexible tension means engages.
 3. Themultifunctional exercise machine of claim 2 wherein the coupler exhibitsa cavity in which the free ends of the spring elements are to bearranged in such fashion that they can be coupled as required.
 4. Themultifunctional exercise machine of claim 2 wherein assigned to thecoupler there is a detachable connecting element, by which the endportions of the spring elements that are to be coupled with the couplerare detachably restrained therewith.
 5. The multifunctional exercisemachine of claim 2, wherein the coupler is fashioned in box shape and,on its side wall facing toward the flexible spring elements, exhibits apreferably slot-shaped penetration through which pass the free endportions of the spring elements to be coupled or uncoupled.
 6. Themultifunctional exercise machine of claim 4 wherein the connectingelement is fashioned as a pin, which can be stuck through a preferablykeyhole-shaped opening in the side walls of the coupler havingcorresponding profilings and can be rotated for the purpose of restraintin such fashion that it cannot be lost.
 7. The multifunctional exercisemachine of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the rod- or strip-shapedspring elements are arranged one next to another and/or one behindanother in the, for example, roughly triangular space bounded by thecolumn parts.
 8. The multifunctional exercise machine of claim 1,wherein the column comprises pipes, spaced apart, which form the columnparts, and form a frame, which is so fashioned that, for the purpose oftransport or storage, it can be folded up in space-saving fashion abouta pivot axis arranged roughly in the region of the vertex of the roughlytriangular bounding space.
 9. The multifunctional exercise machine ofclaim 2, wherein the quiver exhibits one or a plurality of cavities inwhich the spring elements are arranged one next to another and/or onebehind another—preferably centered—insertably with their end portions,and wherein the quiver is connected in materially or functionallyunitary fashion to a foot part of one column part.
 10. Themultifunctional exercise machine of claim 1, wherein one column part isequipped with an offset extending in the direction toward the sitting orlying surface, which offset also extends above the backrest with avertical clearance, and wherein there is arranged in this region adiverting roller via which the tension means can be guided, and whereina handlebar is connected to the end of the tension means.
 11. Themultifunctional exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the column partfacing toward the backrest comprises two pipes arranged parallel to oneanother and spaced apart, to which pipes handles for the performance ofbutterfly exercises are connected about a pivot axis.
 12. Themultifunctional exercise machine of claim 1, wherein a leg curler isassigned to the lying surface.
 13. The multifunctional exercise machineof claim 1, wherein, besides the column parts, the leg curler is alsoarranged in such fashion that it can be folded against the column part.14. The multifunctional exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the frameparts or pipes of the column part concerned, facing toward the sittingand lying surface, are unitarily connected to a foot with which themachine rests on the floor, and wherein the foot is connected viastretchers to a further foot, which also exhibits the quiver for thespring elements, and wherein the stretchers are arranged collapsibly,both at the foot and at the foot exhibiting the quiver, about pivot axesrunning parallel to one another.
 15. The multifunctional exercisemachine of claim 1, wherein the column parts 2) comprise pipes ofcircular, oval or polygonal cross section and wherein the pipe portionsexhibiting the offset are telescopable into outer pipes of the columnpart concerned and are also so arranged that they can be restrained atthe height position in question.
 16. The multifunctional exercisemachine of claim 1, wherein the elastic rod- or strip-shaped springelements are made of spring steel, or of plastic, or of glass fibers, orof carbon fibers, or of fiber-reinforced carbon fibers.
 17. Themultifunctional exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the sitting and/orlying surface is so arranged as to be collapsible and/or adjustable inheight.
 18. The multifunctional exercise machine of claim 1, wherein thesitting and/or lying surface is adjustable and/or restrainable via amechanism on the front of the pipes by means of hooks located at variousheights.
 19. The multifunctional exercise machine of claim 18 whereinthe sitting and/or lying surface is braced at 21 with its adjustingmechanism behind the pipes fashioned as main pipes.
 20. Themultifunctional exercise machine of claim 18 wherein the sitting and/orlying surface is intermittently adjustable in height and is alsorestrainable at the height position desired in each case.